News

Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer

Students have the option of studying psychology at Avondale after the college signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with the University of New England (UNE).

The college is offering psychology as a major or specialisation as part of an undergraduate arts or science degree. The course will be available in arts from semester two this year and in science from semester one next year. Students will complete the psychology course online through UNE, with on-campus intensives at UNE each semester. They will complete core subjects and minors at Avondale and will graduate with an Avondale degree.

The academic relationship with UNE, a first for Avondale, is ideal, says vice-president (administration and research) Dr Vivienne Watts. "UNE offers so many subjects by distance education, and we've wanted to offer this course for a long time."

The three-year course is accredited by the Australian Psychological Society (APS), which allows students further study--a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), a Graduate Diploma or a Master of Arts or Sciences--in the field. "If you want your study to lead to employment as a psychologist, it's essential you complete an APS-accredited course," says Dr Graham Stacey, a clinical psychologist and a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Theology. "You can't become a psychologist with an undergraduate degree."

Dr Stacey speaks highly of Dr Watts and her role in building the relationship with UNE. He is proud Avondale now offers the course. "This is an extension of the [Seventh-day Adventist] Church's health ministry," says Stacey. "We're in the business of bringing relief to people who are journeying through life. This course fits well with our ethos of holistic care."

Contact the enquiries centre (+61 2 4980 2777, enquiries@avondale.edu.au) for more information about the course.